Manny Machado

Machado is exhibit 1,527,106 in the Never Believe The Player Theory. As the theory goes, whatever return date a player tells the media or how said player will avoid the disabled list, throw the story ...

It was thought that Machado would take time to mature as a hitter, but instead he hit .310 in the first half and was on pace to break the MLB record for doubles. He's still not a finished product as shown with his 4.1% walk rate, a clear sign that Machado needs to develop more patience at the plate. Machado suffered an ugly knee injury in the final week of the season and needed surgery to repair a torn medial patellar ligament. Although he had the procedure in mid-October and there was no reported damage to his ACL or MCL, Machado is facing a six-month rehab window. As a result, he is in danger of missing Opening Day. Once Machado is ready to take the field again, he will be one of the more attractive options at third base, and over the next few years some of those doubles should begin to turn into home runs as he reaches his power peak.

2013

With a lack of production at third base, the Orioles shocked many by calling up Machado, who had just turned 20 years old, having him bypass Triple-A altogether. While he was a bit overaggressive at the plate (9:39 BB:K), Machado held his own considering his age. Machado is still developing both his eye at the plate and his power, but he is expected to blossom into a star. With J.J. Hardy's contract extended through 2014, Machado should remain at third base for the time being. Machado may take some time to develop, so his value is far greater in keeper formats.

2012

Machado effectively played his first professional season after playing just nine games in 2010 as the Orioles' first-round draft pick. The 19-year-old tore up Low-A, hitting .276/.376/.483 with six home runs in just 170 plate appearances, showing good plate discipline as well before a dislocated knee cap sent him to the disabled list. He then hit a bit of a road block in High-A, where he couldn't draw as many walks nor hit for as much power (five homers in 260 plate appearances). Look for the youngster to get another crack at High-A and hopefully move up to Double-A next season.

2011

Machado, the third overall selection in the 2010 draft, went 11-for-36 with one home run and just three strikeouts in a brief professional debut. He projects as a very good hitter at the MLB level and he should develop power as he continues to grow. Keeper and dynasty league owners should be prepared to invest here, however, as he's drawn legitimate comparisons to Alex Rodriguez. Even if Machado fails to become next A-Rod (fail is a strong word), he should hit for average and double-digit (think 20-homer) power down the road. Just don't expect to see him at the big league level before 2013.